Wednesday September 9, 2026, 7:00PM
Location: 53640 Parkville Rd. Three Rivers, MI 49093

Minutes

1. Call to Order

Ed English called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Roll Call was taken and members present were:

  • Tom Springer
  • Bill Brislen
  • Ed English
  • Cindy Fenwick
  • Lari Roberts

3. Pledge of Allegiance

Ed English asked all present to stand and Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

4. Set/amend agenda

No changes were made to the agenda and Ed English noted it will stand as printed.

5. Invited Representatives/Speakers

a. Assessor, Dale Hutson

Mr. Hutson presented the land divisions update to the board. All were approved as they meet the zoning ordinances.

b. Zoning Administrator: Matt Jorgensen – absent

c. Visitors:

None

6. Public Comments

Reggie Chapman – Precinct Delegate for the Republican Party offered materials she had available regarding issues on the ballot.

7. Approve of minutes from the August 12, 2026 Regular meeting

A motion was made by Lari Roberts with support from Bill Brislen to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2026 regular meeting. Motion carried.

8. Treasurer’s Report – Cindy Fenwick

Mrs. Fenwick reviewed the Treasurer’s Report and noted there is $1,160,019.26 in the general fund.

A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Tom Springer to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion carried.

9. Correspondence

a. Review of Building Inspectors Report

The Board reviewed the Building Inspectors Report as presented.

b. Review of Mike Haydon, Code Violation Report

The Board reviewed the Code Violation Report as presented.

10. Unfinished Business

None.

11. New Business

Ed English closed the regular meeting at 7:07 p.m.

a. Public Hearing – Special Assessment Roll for Fire Protection Operation Expenditures

Mr. English opened the public hearing regarding Special Assessment Rolls for Fire Protection Operation Expenditures at 7:08 p.m.

Mr. English noted to run Fire Station costs between $275,000 – $280,000. The assessment will be for 1.3 mils as noted in the Newspaper. This will begin with the December property tax bills. He pointed out that Fabius Township is responsible for half of the Fire Protection Operation costs.

Public Comments –

One individual noted that the Fire Department never asked for anything that they did not need.

A motion approve the Special Assessment Rolls for Fire Protection Operation Expenditures was made by Lari Roberts with support from Bill Brislen. The motion carried.

Mr. English closed the Public Hearing regarding the Special Assessment at 7:11 p.m.

b. Public Hearing – Truth in Taxation – Road Millage

Mr. English opened the Public Hearing regarding Truth in Taxation – Road Millage at 7:12 p.m.

Mr. English stated that the law requires any non-budgeted items must have a public hearing in order to approve a levy of additional millage rates in accordance with the General Property Tax Act. The proposed .4 mils resolution for the roads did not receive approval until August, 2026 requiring the truth-in-taxation hearing today.

Public Comments –

  • Sandy Brown – questioned the requirement to inform the public of a change in the budget. Mr. English pointed out that the funds remain in Park Township for the next 3 years and are only for repairing the roads.
  • Cindy Newell – asked how the roads to be repaired are chosen.
  • Mr. English noted that the County keeps track and makes those decisions in conjunction with the Townships. Further discussion involved striping of the roads.

Ed English closed the public hearing at 7:22 p.m.

Review by the Board –

A motion was made by Tom Springer with support from Lari Roberts to approve the additional .4 mill for Road Maintenance and Improvements.

Roll Call vote was taken:

  • Tom Springer – yes
  • Bill Brislen – yes
  • Ed English – yes
  • Cindy Fenwick – yes
  • Lari Roberts – yes

The motion carried.

Mr. English opened the regular meeting at 7:23 p.m.

c. Data Center Information

Mr. English reported Planning and Board Members went to a Seminar regarding Data Centers in Dorr. He pointed out that no one has called regarding building a Data Center in Park township and this was just trying to get ahead and get educated. The seminar was purely informational. The members brought home relevant information. He noted the importance of learning what can and cannot be done to manage them. The Township should try to manage by ordinance and changes to the Master Plan which would include adding an attachment regarding the Data Centers vs redoing the Master Plan.

Mr. English asked all present to review a sample ordinance he had available and to make comments and notes for the Planning Commission to review. He noted it was important to get the township’s ideas and comments. It was noted from the meeting that these Data Centers depreciate quickly so any property tax value also goes down. At the present time everyone is waiting for the State’s rules on data centers.

Dale Hutson pointed out that many times the owners sign a lease agreement and if they get enough property they put in their own substation and utility lines without seizing land.

12. Board Reports

a. Governmental Relations – Cindy Fenwick

Chamber Update – Christy Trammel

  • The next Coffee and Connections will be Monday, October 5 from 8 – 9:30 am at the Chamber. Everyone is welcome
  • HR Roundtable will be Tuesday, September 29 at the Chamber. Any HR people interested need to contact Christy Speaker will be Attorney Janilyn Daub and she will be giving law updates.
  • The Annual Chamber dinner and Award ceremony will be Tuesday, September 29 at Kline’s Resort. If anyone has a business or organization nomination for the Brick Award, please contact Christy as soon as possible.
  • The Fall Color Tour will be Sunday, October 11. Brochures should be available in about a week.
  • The Switzerland trip which is scheduled for April 27 – May 3, 2027 has only 12 spots still available. If you’re interested, please contact Christy soon!

Three Rivers Hospital (Beacon Health) – Maria Behr

  • The Emergency Department has been busier since the close of Sturgis Hospital. Their average was between 48 and 55 patients daily. But now the average is about 75 patients daily. Their highest day was 102 patients.
  • They have hired more mid-level providers and 2 traveling nurses. They have also hired 15 people from Sturgis Hospital.
  • The have completed the Lab renovations and added more space.
  • In September they are doing a cookout for all associates.
  • The Nursing Team did a carnival for the associates and their families with food, games, etc.
  • Demolition for the Medical Building will begin around September 3. The new building is being constructed in Oshkosh, WI and planning to be delivered and completed in late Spring/early Summer 2027. The new building will have a Wound Clinic, Oncology Clinic and Infusion Clinic with 18 private infusion areas that will be large enough for a family member to be with the patient during treatment.
  • Beacon has 2 locations in Sturgis – Family Health Internal Medicine Clinic and a cardiac clinic.
  • HealthTrac will be closing on September 30 with the pool and track also closing. Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy will still be providing services.

St. Joe County Clerk – (Gina Everson)

  • Gina introduced new employee (Tyler Swett) who is helping with land records.
  • She mentioned that is important to have Property Fraud Alert, but recommended not to sign up for Life Lock. She mentioned that quit claim deeds are where fraud often happens.
  • They are planning to hire an intern for the Register of Deeds – maybe a GOCC student.

St. Joe County – (Jarad Hoffmaster)

  • Renovations at the courthouse are estimated to be completed by August 2027.
  • The Sheriffs office got a new vehicle

Centreville – (Pattie Bender)

  • Movie night on August 29th was well attended and enjoyed by approximately 175 people. Free cotton candy and popcorn was provided. Chill Bean sold drinks and Zae and Zebs had pizza by the slice for sale
  • 100 signs were purchased for the Fair and will be placed in front of all the buildings stating the year that the building was built. They are celebrating their 175 th birthday of the fair. The signs will be put up every year during fair week and the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) will be advertised on each sign.

Fabius Township – (April Wooden, trustee)

  • Fabius had 911 voters for the last election. 500 hundred of those were absentee.
  • Someone is wanting to put in a big new marina in the area of where the Happy Landing Restaurant was.

There will NOT be an October Government Relations meeting.

b. Community Development – none

c. Fire Board

  • Ed English noted that the shingle roof done, flat roof also done. The doors, windows not in yet.
  • Sofit work starting this week.
  • Paid bills.

13. Approval of bills for payment

A motion was made by Cindy Fenwick with support from Bill Brislen to approve the bills for payment. The motion carried.

14. Adjournment

A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Lari Roberts to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. The motion carried.

Arlene Brislen

Recording Secretary

PDF is provided for convenience.
View September 9, 2026 Park Township Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Minutes